Slow Cooker Beef Meals

After-work and after-school dinners... ready and waiting. Fast paced lifestyles call for slow-cooking meals - meals that cook while the cook is away. And slow cooking is a healthy, low fat cooking method because all of the fat cooks away from the beef, leaving savory protein that your family can really enjoy! For best results from your slow cooker, follow these tips and check out these savory but simple recipes.

Helpful Hints

• Follow recipe directions.
• Make sure the ingredients fill the slow cooker at least half full so the foods cook properly and the liquid does not cook away.
• Check to see that the slow cooker lid fits completely without tilting or being askew.
• Do not remove the slow cooker lid during cooking unless the recipe directs you to add ingredients or stir. The heat loss caused by removing the lid unnecessarily can result in extra cooking time.
• Slow cooking may take longer at high altitudes.

The Beef Basics

• Choose the economical, less tender beef cuts for slow cooking. These include cuts from the chuck and round such as pot roasts and pieces of beef for stews and soups. The long, slow cooking process ensures fork-tender, moist and flavorful beef.
• Save quick cooking ground beef and tender roasts for other meals and cooking methods.
• Use beef straight from the refrigerator. Do not use frozen beef for slow cooker recipes. Defrost beef in the refrigerator, not at room temperature, and then place in slow cooker.
• Trim visible fat from beef before placing in the slow cooker to quickly help reduce fat in the finished dish.
• Place vegetables on the bottom and around the sides of the slow cooker; place the beef atop the vegetables. (Meat tends to cook faster than vegetables in the slow cooker).

Set & Go Slow Cooker Meals

After-Work Beef Pot Roast Makes 6 to 8 servings View Recipe

Wild Mushroom Beef Stew Makes 6 servings View Recipe